Visual Studio 2022 with GitHub Copilot Chat

Question

Visual Studio 2022 with GitHub Copilot Chat

Dani_S 5,261

Hi,

I'm using VS 2022 -Version 17.14.8.

1.When I'm In Solution Explorer Tab and switching to GitHub Copilot Chat

It's take a long time? why ?

2.So what I do, I opened the files I need to work with in Solution Explorer Tab before.

And later I switch to GitHub Copilot Chat ? Is it the way?

3.How can I used GitHub Copilot Chat in better way?

Thanks in advance,

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Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-10T08:55:27.3566667+00:00

Hi Dani_S,

Thank you for sending us your questions.

1.The long response when you switch between GitHub Copilot Chat and Solution Explorer

When your previous chat contains many queries, Copilot may take some time to reload the entire conversation and related data. To improve performance, you can clear the cache by following these steps:

Press Win + R and type: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\VisualStudio

Then delete the Copilot folder.

2.So what I do, I opened the files I need to work with in Solution Explorer Tab before. And later I switch to GitHub Copilot Chat ? Is it the way?

Yes, you should always open your solution first in Solution Explorer before editing or using Copilot Chat.

3.How can I use GitHub Copilot Chat in better way?

For smoother usage, you can drag and drop the GitHub Copilot Chat window out of Solution Explorer. This allows you to keep it side by side with your code, so you don’t need to switch tabs manually. The Copilot window will also load automatically with your solution, saving you time.

Hope this helps! If my answer was helpful, kindly follow the instructions here so others with the same problem, can benefit as well.
Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-10T12:29:48.0066667+00:00

1.Regarding 1:No Copilot folder?
Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-10T12:30:30.99+00:00

3.Regarding "You can drag and drop the GitHub Copilot Chat window out of Solution Explorer."

Can you please send screencast, how is done ?
Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-11T08:57:45.99+00:00

Hi Dani_S,

Thank you for your response. I’ve updated my answer and would appreciate it if you could review it and leave a comment. If this resolves your concern, please follow the instructions provided so others with the same issue can benefit too.

Answer accepted by question author

1 additional answer

Your answer

Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-10T08:55:27.3566667+00:00

Hi Dani_S,

Thank you for sending us your questions.

1.The long response when you switch between GitHub Copilot Chat and Solution Explorer

When your previous chat contains many queries, Copilot may take some time to reload the entire conversation and related data. To improve performance, you can clear the cache by following these steps:

Press Win + R and type: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\VisualStudio

Then delete the Copilot folder.

2.So what I do, I opened the files I need to work with in Solution Explorer Tab before. And later I switch to GitHub Copilot Chat ? Is it the way?

Yes, you should always open your solution first in Solution Explorer before editing or using Copilot Chat.

3.How can I use GitHub Copilot Chat in better way?

For smoother usage, you can drag and drop the GitHub Copilot Chat window out of Solution Explorer. This allows you to keep it side by side with your code, so you don’t need to switch tabs manually. The Copilot window will also load automatically with your solution, saving you time.

Hope this helps! If my answer was helpful, kindly follow the instructions here so others with the same problem, can benefit as well.
Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-10T12:29:48.0066667+00:00

1.Regarding 1:No Copilot folder?
Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-10T12:30:30.99+00:00

3.Regarding "You can drag and drop the GitHub Copilot Chat window out of Solution Explorer."

Can you please send screencast, how is done ?
Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-11T08:57:45.99+00:00

Hi Dani_S,

Thank you for your response. I’ve updated my answer and would appreciate it if you could review it and leave a comment. If this resolves your concern, please follow the instructions provided so others with the same issue can benefit too.

Answer 1

Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Dani_S,

Thank you for sharing your concern. To ensure that all files always open in the left group tab, you can go to Tools > Environment, search "Preview Tab", uncheck "Preview selected files in Solution Explorer (Alt + click to avoid previewing)". Then, close Visual Studio and try again.

See? When I turned off these settings, all files opened in the left group tab, regardless of the file type, as shown below:

PreviewTab

I hope this information is helpful. If you don’t have any further questions on this topic, please mark my answer so I’ll know the issue has been resolved. If you do have additional questions, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll be glad to assist

Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-16T07:03:18.11+00:00

Yes, I do. Thanks you for quick and professionals answer.

Answer 2

Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Dani_S,

Thanks for your response. The Copilot folder is created after you sign in with your GitHub account. Once signed in, just start asking questions and the folder will be created automatically.

Alternatively, you can click Delete Thread in the GitHub Copilot window to clear the previous conversation, instead of deleting the folder manually.

new

To set up GitHub Copilot Chat windows side by side, you can follow the steps shown in my gif below. Please drag and drop to correct side by side icon.

drag_drop

I hope this helps resolve your concern. If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know in the comment.

Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-11T15:44:03.0033333+00:00

Both issues resolved!!

Last question:

What does it mean when I clear the previous answer.

If I ask same question again it will give same answer?

How is best practice, to delete or not delete history of conversation, please elaborate?

Thanks,
Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-12T02:29:07.4766667+00:00

Hi Dani,

If you clear a previous answer or start a new conversation, asking the same question will usually give the same response, unless the wording changes or new information becomes available (for example, updates in the AI model, context, or sources).

Deleting history is helpful when you want a fresh start. Keeping history allows the AI to follow the flow of the discussion and provide more connected answers. One tip: if the question or context is unclear, the AI may generate an inaccurate response. In that case, starting a new conversation is the best option.

Hope this helps you understand how to use the AI more effectively. If you need further assistance, feel free to ask.
Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-12T14:42:56.8766667+00:00

One more question, please see:

https://app.screencast.com/W1urwLAqbpDWX

When I open opened file is open in the left side , but when opening a new file like README that you see in screencast , is open near the solution explorer + Chat GPT screen.

How can is solve it?

Thanks,
Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-15T14:45:25.9466667+00:00

Hi ,

Can you please answer ? I'm using VS 2026.

Thanks,
Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-16T02:31:29.1533333+00:00

Hi Dani_S,

Thank you for sharing your concern. To ensure that all files always open in the left group tab, you can go to Tools > Environment, search "Preview Tab", uncheck "Preview selected files in Solution Explorer (Alt + click to avoid previewing)". Then, close Visual Studio and try again.

See? When I turned off these settings, all files opened in the left group tab, regardless of the file type, as shown below:

I hope this information is helpful. If you don’t have any further questions on this topic, please mark my answer so I’ll know the issue has been resolved. If you do have additional questions, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll be glad to assist
Dani_S 5,261 Reputation points

2025-12-16T06:13:38.82+00:00

Sorry, but I do not found it.

Please see :https://app.screencast.com/24h88EDzMwl5U

I'm using VS 2026.

Please send me screenshot to solve the issue.
Leon Tran (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 965 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-16T06:20:42.69+00:00

Hi Dani_S,
In your screencast link, it showed that you're in "Preview Features". This is incorrect tab.

Please find "Preview Tab" and uncheck Preview selected files in Solution Explorer (Alt + click to avoid previewing) and try again.

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Visual Studio 2022 with GitHub Copilot Chat

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